Join us for Social Capital 2027!
We are delighted to invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and professionals from around the world to join us for Social Capital 2027, the second global conference of the International Social Capital Association, hosted at Heriot-Watt University, Dubai Campus, United Arab Emirates, from 18–20 March 2027, with a dedicated Virtual Day on 17 March.
Building on the success of our inaugural conference, Social Capital 2027 will bring together leading scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and organisations from around the world to share new research, practical experience, and innovative approaches to understanding and applying social capital.
The conference is designed as a field-building space where research, practice, and policy come together. We welcome academic research as well as practice and policy contributions from organisations, initiatives, and major projects seeking to showcase their work, share lessons, and engage with an international community.
The programme will feature keynote presentations from leading international scholars, alongside research presentations, practice and policy sessions, panels, workshops, and opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and networking.
We invite submissions addressing social capital across a wide range of disciplines, sectors, and contexts. Research-led, applied, and hybrid contributions are all welcome, including work that bridges research with practice or policy.
In-person oral presentation submissions close: 30 September 2026.
A dedicated Virtual Day will take place on 17 March 2027, providing opportunities for participation by those unable to travel to Dubai.
The in-person conference will be hosted at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, providing a modern and internationally accessible setting for three days of exchange, discussion, and connection.
Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues, departments, organisations, and professional networks. We look forward to your contributions and to welcoming you to Dubai for Social Capital 2027.
Social Media Draft
I’m looking forward to attending #SocialCapital2027, the second global conference of the International Social Capital Association, taking place at Heriot-Watt University Dubai from 18–20 March 2027, with a dedicated Virtual Day on 17 March.
The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and professionals from around the world to exchange ideas, share research and practical experience, and explore how social capital can help us understand and address some of today’s most important social challenges.
Keynote presenters include Raj Chetty, Beate Völker, and Michael Woolcock, whose work has made major contributions to our understanding of social networks, opportunity, institutions, communities, and development.
I’m excited to learn, connect, and contribute to this growing international community.
More information, submissions, and registration: socialcapital2027.com
#SocialCapital #SocialCapital2027 #Sociology #PoliticalScience #Economics #SocialResearch #PublicPolicy #AcademicCommunity
Long Newsletter
Subject: Social Capital 2027 – Global Conference on Social Capital (17–20 March 2027)
Dear colleagues,
We’re excited to share news of Social Capital 2027, the second global conference of the International Social Capital Association (ISCA), taking place at Heriot-Watt University Dubai from 18–20 March 2027, with a dedicated Virtual Day on 17 March.
The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, professionals, and organisations from around the world to share new research, practical experience, and innovative approaches to understanding and applying social capital.
Keynote Presenters
The conference will feature contributions from leading international scholars whose work has shaped research on social capital, networks, opportunity, communities, and development:
🔹 Prof. Raj Chetty, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, whose groundbreaking research has demonstrated the importance of social networks and economic connectedness for economic mobility and opportunity
🔹 Prof. Beate Völker, Professor of Sociology at Utrecht University, known for her influential research on social networks, communities, trust, and social capital
🔹 Michael Woolcock, World Bank, whose influential work has examined social capital, institutions, development, and the role of social relationships in shaping development outcomes
Research, Practice and Policy
Social Capital 2027 is designed as a field-building space bringing research, practice, and policy together.
Academic researchers are invited to present original research from across disciplines and methodological traditions. We also welcome practice and policy proposals from organisations, initiatives, and major projects seeking to showcase their work, share lessons, and engage with conference participants.
Research-led, applied, and hybrid contributions are welcome, particularly work that builds connections between research, practice, and policy.
The programme will explore social capital across a diverse range of fields and contexts, including health and wellbeing, governance and democracy, theory and measurement, community resilience, sustainability and climate change, economics, entrepreneurship, economic mobility, artificial intelligence, education, migration, and rural and community development.
Whether you are developing social capital theory, conducting empirical research, designing policy, evaluating programmes, or applying social capital in communities and organisations, there is a place for your contribution.
Why Dubai?
Dubai provides an exceptionally international setting for the conference, with excellent infrastructure and global connectivity. Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers a modern campus environment in one of the world’s most internationally connected cities, providing an ideal setting for discussion, collaboration, and building new relationships across disciplines, sectors, and countries.
Key Dates
📥 In-person oral presentation submissions close: 30 September 2026
🎫 Early-bird registration deadline: 4 December 2026
💻 Virtual Day: 17 March 2027
📍 Conference: 18–20 March 2027, Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Learn more about the conference, submit a contribution, and register at socialcapital2027.com.
We’d love for you to share this announcement through your networks, newsletters, institutions, and organisations — and we hope to welcome you to Social Capital 2027 in Dubai or online.
Short Newsletter
Social Capital 2027 – Global Conference on Social Capital
🗓 17–20 March 2027 · 📍 Heriot-Watt University, Dubai
💻 Virtual Day: 17 March · 🔗 socialcapital2027.com
Social Capital 2027, the second global conference of the International Social Capital Association (ISCA), will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, professionals, and organisations from around the world to share research, practical experience, and new approaches to understanding and applying social capital.
Keynote Presenters
Raj Chetty (Harvard University) – social networks, economic mobility, and opportunity
Beate Völker (Utrecht University) – social networks, communities, trust, and social capital
Michael Woolcock (World Bank) – social capital, institutions, and development
Research, Practice & Policy
The conference welcomes academic research alongside practice and policy contributions, with research-led, applied, and hybrid submissions encouraged. Topics span health and wellbeing, democracy and governance, theory and measurement, resilience, sustainability, economics, entrepreneurship, economic mobility, AI, education, migration, and community development.
In-person oral submission deadline: 30 September 2026
Early-bird registration deadline: 4 December 2026
More information, submissions, and registration: socialcapital2027.com
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